Apparatus, method, and computer program product for characterizing user-defined areas

Abstract

A method of specifying a boundary for an area is provided, which includes receiving a first input from a first user regarding a first configuration of a boundary of an area. The first input may serve to establish an area of arbitrary and possibly irregular configuration, such as an area that is apolitical or otherwise legally undetermined. A second input may be received from a second user regarding a second boundary configuration. The second input may serve to modify the boundary of an area established by the first input. A particular configuration of the boundary based at least partially on the first and second inputs can then be determined. For example, the particular configuration of the boundary may be determined, in part, by spatially averaging the first and second configurations. In some embodiments, demographic data for an area defined by the particular configuration of the boundary may be compiled.

1 . A method of conducting a discussion comprising:
 creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area;   receiving, from a first user, input establishing and regarding an arbitrary topic pertaining to the area; and   receiving, from a second user, input regarding the arbitrary topic pertaining to the area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration includes creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on input from the first user specifying a boundary of the area. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area includes:
 receiving a first input regarding a first configuration of a boundary of an area;   receiving a second input regarding a second configuration of the boundary; and   determining a particular configuration of the boundary based at least partially on the first and second inputs.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically compiling data regarding the area, the data being selected from the group consisting of real estate data and demographic data. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising visually presenting the area within a graphical geographic representation. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising presenting a graphical geographic representation, and wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area includes creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input graphically specifying a boundary of the area within the graphical geographic representation. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration includes creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on input from a third user specifying a boundary of the area. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area includes creating with a processing device an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area, said receiving input from a first user establishing and regarding an arbitrary topic pertaining to the area includes receiving with the processing device input from a first user establishing and regarding an arbitrary topic pertaining to the area, and said receiving input from a second user regarding the arbitrary topic pertaining to the area includes receiving with the processing device input from a second user regarding the arbitrary topic pertaining to the area. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-readable storage medium that stores computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method comprising:
 creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area;   receiving, from a first user, input establishing and regarding an arbitrary topic pertaining to the area; and   receiving, from a second user, input regarding the arbitrary topic pertaining to the area.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration includes creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on input from the first user specifying a boundary of the area. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area includes:
 receiving a first input regarding a first configuration of a boundary of an area;   receiving a second input regarding a second configuration of the boundary; and   determining a particular configuration of the boundary based at least partially on the first and second inputs.   
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein said computer-readable instructions stored therein are further configured, when executed by a computer, to cause the computer to automatically compile data regarding the area, the data being selected from the group consisting of real estate data and demographic data. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein said computer-readable instructions stored therein are further configured, when executed by a computer, to cause the computer to visually present the area within a graphical geographic representation. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein said computer-readable instructions stored therein are further configured, when executed by a computer, to cause the computer to present a graphical geographic representation, and wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area includes creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input graphically specifying a boundary of the area within the graphical geographic representation. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration includes creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on input from a third user specifying a boundary of the area. 
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 9 , wherein said creating an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area includes creating with a processing device an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area, said receiving input from a first user establishing and regarding an arbitrary topic pertaining to the area includes receiving with the processing device input from a first user establishing and regarding an arbitrary topic pertaining to the area, and said receiving input from a second user regarding the arbitrary topic pertaining to the area includes receiving with the processing device input from a second user regarding the arbitrary topic pertaining to the area. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processing device configured to create an area of arbitrary configuration based on user input specifying a boundary of the area, to receive, from a first user, input establishing and regarding an arbitrary topic pertaining to the area, and to receive, from a second user, input regarding the arbitrary topic pertaining to the area.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said processing device is configured to create an area of arbitrary configuration based on input from the first user specifying a boundary of the area. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said processing device is configured to receive a first input regarding a first configuration of a boundary of an area, to receive a second input regarding a second configuration of the boundary, and to determine a particular configuration of the boundary based at least partially on the first and second inputs. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said processing device is further configured to automatically compile data regarding the area, the data being selected from the group consisting of real estate data and demographic data.